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Names To Know: 50 - 26

By Craig Peterson, 11/18/19, 9:02AM EST

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50. Jacob Winters, Senior Goalie, Saginaw Heritage

Undefeated in his high school career. The 5-foot-11 goaltender went 7-0-0 last season as the Hawks’ backup but steps into the lead role as a senior ready to really make his mark.

49. Colton Salani, Senior Forward, Hancock

Not a flash-and-dash dangler, Likes to play physical and can play Forward and Defense. Nothing flashy, just a good solid all around player.

48. Tyler Pritchett, Senior Forward, Midland

There’s a lot of good goal scorers up and down Interstate-127 this season, and Pritchett is right in the mix. With a stellar work ethic and strong commitment to practice, he could set the pace for the middle of the state.

47. Anthony Gattoni, Senior Defenseman, Salem

Maintains gap control and stays active in the play throughout the lengh of the ice. Gattoni is vocal on the ice too and communicates well, making him a hot commodity on the blue line.

46. Sam Kastamo, Senior Defenseman, Hartland

I really like the way he defends against 1-on-1s. He doesn’t get fooled easily and trusts his eyes to keep him in between the shooter and the net. 

45. Jacob Gumbel, Senior Forward, U-D Jesuit

He’s a big, thick kid who knows how to throw his weight around. Gumbel is heavy on his skates and a pain to match up with 1-on-1 along the boards, making him a terror below the face-off dots. 

44. Jackson Kocur, Senior Forward, Tri-Valley

The Sarnia Sting selected him in the 2018 OHL Draft, and the 6-foot-3 forward then went out and totaled 59 points in 25 games in his first season with Tri-Valley. Can’t wait to see what he’s capable of in Year Two.

43. Scott Loukus, Senior Forward, Calumet

He scored 20 goals last season and finished third on his team in scoring. WHAT?! The Copper Kings are stacked again this year and Loukus will be one of the resources they tap into for offensive production.  

42. Alex Staudebaker, Senior Goalie, Calumet

A career goals-against average below 2.00, he’s got wins over a lot of the top programs in the state and should be in the conversation for best in the state with a strong performance this season.

41. Logan Mitchell-Petitta, Junior Forward, Brighton

There are moments in his game that make you say ‘wow’ and others that can leave evaluators wanting a little bit more. He’s played in just 12 MI-HS games, so there’s some developing to be done but the ceiling is definitely high with LMP. 

40. Matt Kuphal, Senior Forward, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

If you want to score goals, you’ve got to go where the goals are scored. Kuphal does just that as a big net-front presence guy, he is highly effective in tight quarters around the net.

39. Jeffrey Schmidt, Senior Forward, Davison

A smaller forward with a nose for the puck. Schmidt wins a lot of 1-on-1 races to loose pucks and does a nice job tracking the play on a backcheck to create collapsing pressure on the opponent. 

38. Alex Andoni, Senior Defenseman, Brother Rice

Every team needs a guy like Andoni. He’s a steady, reliable, keep-things-simple kind of defenseman that avoids costly mistakes and is rarely out of position. His puck skills are a great accent as well.

37. Gino Sessa, Senior Defenseman, Detroit Country Day

At his best when he lets the game come to him. Sessa has been a cornerstone in the Yellowjackets’ D-corps having played in 88 games prior to his senior year… 88 games!

36. Jacob Kornoelje, Senior Forward, Woodhaven

Wildly skilled and a natural talent, The ‘02 forward is in line for a huge year with the Warriors given his explosive speed and ability to play in whatever capacity is asked of him.

35. Enzo Tarducci, Senior Defenseman, Detroit Catholic Central

Has a real solid feel for the game and like a good defender, thinks 2-3 steps ahead of the play as it unfolds. Tarducci is a big lefty that anticipates well and defends even better.

34. Ethan Houck, Junior Forward, Saginaw Heritage

I love the way Houck gets to the middle of the ice on the rush. Whether its cutting across the blue line and drifting into the slot or edging out a defender to the playside post, he knows where to go as the play unfolds.

33. Salvatore Carabelli, Senior Goalie, Utica Eisenhower

The 6-foot-2 netminder won 16 games two seasons ago and after graduating 15 seniors in 2019, the Eagles will lean on their towering goaltender to backstop a young team. 

32. Brandon Clark, Senior Forward, Trenton

Was the Trojans leading goal scorer last season and is ripe for an even bigger year, leading the way on one of the most loaded offensive attacks in the state. Everyone from Trenton can score and Clark may be the best of the bunch.

31. Kieran Carlile, Senior Forward, Hartland

He plays even bigger than his 5-foot-10 frame and comes at you with an edge to his game. Keep your head up around this guy because he’s physical, smart and a natural talent making him a special kind of triple threat.

30. Dylan McMullen, Senior Forward, Davison

The epitome of a two-way forward, McMullen has a well-equipped 200-foot game rounded out with great backchecks, center support and grade-A positioning in all three zones.

29. Brady Rappuhn, Senior Forward, Saginaw Heritage

When he sticks to the simple plays ⁠— getting pucks to the net, 5- and 10-foot passes, dump-and-chase forecheck ⁠— the left-handed forward can be very effective. 

28. Nathan Vazquez, Senior Forward, Riverview Gabriel Richard

A great skater with a quick first stride to the net. Vazquez has good offensive awareness and knack for creating something out of nothing which will be a huge asset given the Pioneers’ schedule.

27. Ian Smith, Senior Forward, Plymouth

Fantastic natural ability to put the puck in the net. I mean “a gift from the hockey gods” the way he can pick his spots on opposing goalies. Give Smith even a little bit of space and you’ll be digging the puck out of the back of your own net.

26. Ryan Murphy, Senior Forward, Brother Rice

Good in all three zones, knows when to play with an edge and when to be a leader. Murphy is a reliable guy that every team could use in their lineup and in the locker room to set an example for the whole squad. 

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